Andrew Mitchell faces increasing hostility from five directions

A
quick foray into this morning’s papers makes one thing clear: Andrew Mitchell
is under as much pressure as ever over his rant at a policeman on Downing
Street. In fact, he now faces questions — or outright opposition — from at
least five directions:

Crucially,
David Cameron cannot yet be added to the list above. The Times reports
(£) that the PM is minded to give his Chief Whip time, to “see if the furore will die down and whether Mr Mitchell can
command the respect of MPs.”

But, as that’s a pretty Big If, perhaps it’s worth noting the names
that are swirling around the Westminster washbowl as possible replacements for
Mr Mitchell: Francis Maude, Michael Fallon, Mark Harper and John Hayes.

For now, however, instead of one of those four, it's the five-pronged fork.